Getting Back to (Planner) Basics

Getting Back to (Planner) Basics

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I lose focus on what’s really important…even when it comes to something as simple as documenting.

I tend to get all wrapped up in the “stuff” and I forget that sometimes the basics are all I need.

So today we are getting back to basics…planner basics.

Whether you’re just venturing out into this amazing world of planners, or you’re a seasoned planner-girl, I hope this post provides you with some inspiration and information!

To start…you’ll need a planner. (I hope this is obvious – smile).

This Heidi Swapp personal planner is the one I carry with me…in my bag…always. It keeps track of all of the kids’ activities and my daily to-do’s, as well as acting as a receipt and note holder and sometimes wallet.

Because this planner is not date-specific (yayayay!), you’ll need a way to enter to the dates.

My favorite pens are the Sharpie Fine Point pen and the American Crafts Precision Pen (.01).

I am sort of a pen snob. OK, truth be told, I’m a serious pen snob…and plain old ball points just don’t cut it for me. The ink in these pens is AWESOME and I never have to worry about it leaking through my planner pages.

Heidi has also thought of a totally genius way to add dates to your planner…sheets of numbered stickers that fit PERFECTLY into all of her Memory Planners. These sheets can be found in the new Memory Planner Embellishment Kit (available now at Michaels Stores) and there are enough included to fill your entire year!

See how cool they look?!

My next necessity is the brand new WeR Memory Keepers Typecast Vintage-Style Typewriter. It is THE BOMB.

And, because all of the pages in Heidi’s planners are removable, I can easily type anything I desire onto individual pages.

Stamps are a great way to add both function and decoration to your pages.

The Memory Keeper Embellishment Kit comes with its own set of stamps (shown above) – perfect for adding to your planner pages!

I find that Dye Ink (or Archival Dye Ink) works really well in my planner. There is no leaking through the pages and the ink dries so quickly.

Chalk ink (shown above) is also a good choice when it comes to inks. I have found that this ink takes a bit longer to dry…but not too much.

Alphabet stickers are a great way to add titles and important dates to your planner.

Nothing stands out more than when it’s written in gold glitter!

A stapler is also a definite must when it comes to planning. Glue can tend to make your pages wrinkle and can take a bit dry thoroughly…but staples are perfect! Plus, they can be removed easily without much damage to your pages.

Washi tape, like a stapler, is also a fantastic way to add items to your planner…

…use it to add important receipts or memoribilia for a fun, whimsical look.

And, the tape comes off easily, so whatever you add doesn’t have to be permanent!

A little piece of washi tape added to the top of a receipt creates a fun little flap for hidden journaling or notes…

And one of the most important items you’ll want for your planner…paper- & binder clips!

So here’s the list of all you’ll need to get you started on your planner adventure…

a planner

some great pens

stamps & ink (either Dye or Chalk ink works great!)

some fun stickers – alpha stickers are perfect!

a stapler

washi tape

clips!

…and, optionally, but they are so MUCH FUN – a typewriter!

Gather up your supplies and keep them together in a little basket on your desk so that you’ll have them at the ready when the planning urge strikes…

Just the basics here, folks…but really – they’re all you need to help you create fantastic planner pages whether you’re memory-keeping or just keeping track of your day-to-day.